FRA Announces $244 Million in Grant Availability
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More than $244 million in grants is available for projects that improve safety, efficiency and reliability, federal railroad regulators announced this month.
To be considered, projects should look to focus on congestion reduction, highway-rail grade crossing improvements, upgrades to freight infrastructure, intercity passenger rail operation enhancements and advancements in safety technology, such as positive train control (PTC) and rail integrity inspection systems.
The funding opportunity from the Federal Railroad Administration is part of what is known as the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements, or CRISI, program.
FRA Grants by Transport Topics on Scribd
“The [CRISI] grant program is an important resource for railroads to upgrade infrastructure and for communities to enhance safety on tracks and at railroad crossings,” Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said in a statement the FRA provided Aug. 14.
Batory
“These CRISI grants support safe rail systems around the country, and I encourage eligible parties with creative and innovative projects to apply by the deadline,” FRA Administrator Ronald Batory added.
Eligible applicants include freight and passenger rail operators. Officials must apply by Oct. 18. A quarter of the funding will be dedicated for rural projects.
“Underinvestment in rural transportation systems has allowed a slow and steady decline in the transportation routes that connect rural American communities to each other and to the rest of the country, fraying the fabric of American interconnectivity,” according to the funding notification in the Federal Register published Aug. 19. “A majority of the nation’s rail route miles are in rural America. Investment is necessary to grow rural economies, facilitate freight movement, improve access to reliable and affordable transportation options and enhance access to health care and safety for residents.”
Today, @USDOT @USDOTFRA announced the availability of $244 million in #FRA grants for safety improvements. Read the announcement here: https://t.co/aQh8zbkuPH pic.twitter.com/gUitxY94Qv — The FRA (@USDOTFRA) August 14, 2019
In July, Batory told the Senate Commerce Committee the implementation of PTC automatic braking systems was operational on nearly 90% of route miles required by law. Railroads are required to have PTC systems in operation by Dec. 31, 2020.
In prepared remarks, Batory told the committee: “FRA will continue to work diligently and collaboratively with all stakeholders, including railroads, railroad associations, and PTC system vendors and suppliers to help ensure all railroads subject to the mandate fully implement FRA-certified and interoperable PTC systems as expeditiously and safely as possible.”
